There continues to be significant health inequalities between those living in deprived areas compared to those living in more affluent areas, Wales’ Chief Medical Officer has said.

There continues to be significant health inequalities between those living in deprived areas compared to those living in more affluent areas, Wales’ Chief Medical Officer has said.

In his final annual report before stepping down this summer, Dr Tony Jewell said that although overall health in Wales is improving, life expectancy has risen at a slower rate in the most deprived communities with a difference of more than 10 years between some neighbouring areas.

The report Our Healthy Future, published today, shows people in Wales are living longer, healthier lives, and male life expectancy is catching up with female life expectancy.

This is partly down to decreasing rates of death from cardiovascular disease and a decline in smoking rates amongst children and adults.

Next page: Male and female life expectancy by council area across Wales

Dr Jewell said: “Life expectancy has been increasing for the past two decades. Male life expectancy has increased to 77.6 years, narrowing the gap with female life expectancy (81.8 years), which is a significant improvement.

“Smoking rates amongst both men and women have declined significantly since the seventies. However for both sexes, smoking related health risks remain a problem, and lung cancer mortality rates in women have risen over the past decade.

“The gap is widest in alcohol-related deaths – rates are three and a half times as high in the most deprived areas for males, and more than twice as high for females. Similarly for deaths from respiratory disease and from smoking, rates in the most deprived areas are more than twice those in the least deprived areas.

“We see this in Cardiff, where life expectancy for men in Grangetown is 71.5 years, and only a few train stops along in Dinas Powys, men can expect to live to 81.8 years.”

Female Life Expectancy 2008-10:

The darker the colour, the higher the life expectancy.

Andy Misell, manager of Alcohol Concern Cymru, said many social and environmental factors may contribute to poorer health in more deprived communities.

He said: “It may be that other factors are at work here. If people’s health is already poor due to poor housing or lack of work, then their drinking may be taking more of a toll on them. It may also be that middle class drinkers are better able to get access to support to manage their drinking and stay healthy.

“Either way, this is an issue that needs to be researched in much greater depth to find out what’s really happening.”

Chris Mulholland, head of the British Lung Foundation in Wales, said: “The link between social and health inequalities is well documented, and we would like to see a targeted effort in reducing that gap, particularly in regards to respiratory ill-health, which has higher prevalence amongst Wales’ more disadvantaged communities.

“A holistic approach is needed, from protecting children from second hand smoke, promoting a healthy lifestyle from an early age, and ensuring that those who have succumbed to the ill-effects of tobacco receive necessary support and treatment.”

Elen De Lacy, chief executive of ASH Wales said a number of approaches needed to be taken to help reduce smoking levels in deprived communities.

She said: “You can see that in these areas with high smoking rates, the disabled life years increases and starts earlier. There’s still a massive disparity in Wales and smoking contributes to that disparity.

“The most effective strategy to tackle this is to challenge social norms. Price rises are also effective as are health awareness campaigns, especially for the hard to reach groups. Legislation can also be extremely effective, including bringing in laws like banning smoking in cars. These kinds of things need to be put in place and everyone in smoke control needs to be working together to beat these prevalence rates.”

Lifestyle factors continue to pose a threat to health in the long term, including low levels of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits. Meanwhile, circulatory disease and cancer remain the biggest causes of death.

Dr Ian Lewis, associate director of research at Tenovus, said: “More needs to be done to close the ever widening gap between the health of the richest and poorest in Wales. We know that people in poorer areas are not only more likely to develop cancer but they are also less likely to survive the disease. We are pleased that the Welsh Government has recognised this disparity and are taking steps to address it.”

Dr Jewell added: “Addressing health inequalities involves all aspects of government policy, and investing in our children, particularly the most disadvantaged.

“We are seeing improvements. Smoking rates amongst young people are reducing, and teenage pregnancy rates continue to decline, to the lowest rates for 18 years.

“Health services can make a difference and tackling health inequalities means tackling the inverse care law, whereby good medical services are not always accessible to those who need them most.

“Improving public health involves a sustained commitment to make long-term change and as I reflect on my last report as CMO I am proud of what we have achieved.

“There is more work to be done to tackle health inequalities and make it easier for people to make healthy choices, and I know that this will continue across all Welsh Government departments.”

She said: “As well as tackling health problems, the NHS has a role to play in preventing them. This means working with schools to promote healthy eating and providing vitamins as part of Healthy Start. We will be introducing health checks for the over 50s, to support people in taking more responsibility for their own health.

“GPs are the gateway to the NHS, and improving access to them will help to tackle health inequalities, preventing and treating disease and promoting healthy choices. We have already increased the number of surgeries opening during the core hours of 8.00am to 6.30pm, and from next year we will work to make further improvements.”

Next page: Male and female life expectancy by council area across Wales

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.